Retail industry

Nato should welcome the man with the granite accent

Article Abstract:

UK Secretary of State for Defence George Robertson, who expects to be named new Nato Secretary General, is not a particularly charismatic politician, but has gained widespread respect. Against this background, it seems strange that he is now abandoning his career in UK politics. This was probably a difficult decision for both Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will have been unwilling to lose a good minister, and for Robertson himself, who realizes that it may be difficult to return to UK politics. However, being Nato Secretary General will also give Robertson valuable opportunities.

Blaming John Prescott is not the way to solve our traffic problems

Article Abstract:

UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has so far taken almost all the blame for the fact that the government has been unable to make any real progress towards addressing traffic congestion and the reluctance of many people to use public transport. Prescott has clearly made some mistakes, but many of the failures of the government's transport policy have not been his fault. He has at least had some ideas, including the use of congestion charging to raise funds for investment in public transport.